The phrase “the children are our future” emphasizes the belief that children represent the next generation and will shape the world after the current generation is gone. It highlights the importance of investing in and nurturing children through education to ensure they can make informed decisions throughout their lives.  

The Education Foundation of Harris County (EFHC) embraced that theme this year by awarding scholarships to select high school graduates who plan to pursue a nontraditional path, whether attending trade school, enrolling in community college with plans to transfer or completing a certification/licensure program.  

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“These are students who aren’t just chasing a degree, they’re chasing purpose and supporting them means investing in the future of Harris County,” said Education Foundation and Partnerships Director Trina Silva. “These students are our future homeowners, voters, educators, business owners, parents and role models. They will shape our neighborhoods and the systems we rely on. When we support them, we create a ripple effect that can transform families, schools and entire communities.” 

Marina Pinkerton was one of 13 students presented with a 2025 EFHC Scholarship on July 17 as Harris County Department of Education leaders, family and friends looked on. As the first woman in her family to graduate from high school and attend college, she is already well on her way to making her dreams a reality.  

“I feel a lot of pride and a lot of respect to be the first person in my family to meet these goals because even though my mom didn’t get to graduate due to being a teenage mom, she helped me with every single essay, every single hard time at school and she push me to be better,” said Pinkerton. “It makes me proud of who I am and all the other people who helped me get here.” 

While attending Tomball Memorial High School, Pinkerton maintained employment in the food service industry to relieve financial pressure on her family. While building relationships with her colleagues, she realized just how many women have also been sexually assaulted. She found a path to aid survivors in her sophomore law class, studying the Constitution and researching the widespread epidemic.  

“I started going through data on where the highest amount of sexual assault cases come from, whether it is domestic or international, and then I saw sex trafficking,” Pinkerton recalled. “It covered a wide range of young and old women and every ethnicity. When I saw that, I said, ‘This is what I need to do with my life.’” 

Pinkerton has already obtained nearly 30 credit hours from Lone Star Community College through her dual credit program and will use the $2,500 scholarship from EFHC to continue her education. She expects to complete her associate’s degree by the end of the 2025-2026 academic year before transferring to a four-year college and attending law school. The recent graduate plans to focus on combating sex trafficking by advocating for women and children, with a personal mission to positively change the lives of at least five people through her future legal work.  

When leaders handed her the scholarship, Pinkerton described feeling empowered to take the next step toward her dreams.  

“It feels like a breath of fresh air, because growing up, figuring out what I wanted to do and who I am as a person, while working and doing school… I got worried that I couldn’t even achieve my goal,” she described. “Receiving this scholarship boosted my confidence because if EFHC can believe in me and give me money for my education, I can do this! It’s not only me or my family who believes in me, but so many other people who also put their trust in me, and I’m not going to let that go to waste.” 

Added Silva: “You don’t need to be at the top of your class to receive our scholarship. You need ambition, a plan and a drive to succeed. We’re here to support students ready to take that next step, in whatever form that takes.” 

Some scholarship recipients plan to forgo college and jump straight into their vocation.  

Abdiel Morales has a heart for service and a clear vision for his future. While attending C.E. King High School, Morales noticed his parents’ financial worries and stepped in to help provide for his two younger siblings. He gained employment as an associate payroll specialist intern at Insperity HR Services, supporting data entry and calculations. His wages help provide essentials like groceries and car insurance.  

“I thought it was going to be easy, but when it came to balancing my work with classes for my associates, it became more difficult,” Morales said. “It took some time, but I was eventually able to manage everything, and now I’m about two credits away from getting my associate’s degree.”  

With the EFHC Scholarship now in hand, Morales plans to begin coursework at Champions School of Real Estate to lay the foundation of his career as a realtor. Inspired by his financial challenges, the Sheldon Independent School District graduate plans to launch a construction company that makes it easier for families to find affordable housing. 

“I used to grow up looking at houses with my grandmother, and I was inspired by all the ways that you can design a house,” he said with excitement. “This scholarship is going to help me pay to get started in real estate by covering all my fees for my certification, partnering with a broker and more. I’m grateful that EFHC and my counselor, who nominated me for this scholarship, believe in me.”   

Watching students like Pinkerton and Morales, who work so hard to obtain their dreams and goals, walk the stage to receive their scholarships emphasizes the “why” behind the Education Foundation for Silva.  

“It’s clear there is an incredible need out there,” she said at the ceremony. “For many of these students, this funding decides whether they can pursue higher education. These students and the careers they want to pursue are essential, and it’s so important to pour into the place we call home, because when our students flourish, so does our collective future.” 

The Education Foundation awarded a total of $32,500 to students from seven school districts and eight high schools. It created a ripple effect that will help build a stronger, more connected Harris County as each student who received a scholarship represents a seed planted for a legacy that will grow into future families, neighborhoods and beyond.  

Silva has only one wish for the recipients.  

“As they grow in their careers and find their footing in the world, I want them to see themselves as part of something bigger: a network of scholarship alumni who give back in meaningful ways,” she explained. “That could mean telling others about opportunities like this, becoming a mentor, volunteering or advocating for education. Giving back doesn’t always look the same, but I hope they remember how the Education Foundation of Harris County’s support made them feel—and feel inspired to one day pour into someone else’s journey because of it.”